Sad news from the Outer Banks today as television star and North Carolina icon Andy Griffith has passed away in his home in Manteo at age 86.
Griffith was most well known for his portrayal of Sheriff Andy Taylor in the 1960s sit-com "The Andy Griffith Show", which idealized small-town North Carolina life. He had a television renaissance in the 1980s and 1990s as a gentlemanly southern lawyer in "Matlock".
Griffith and his eponymous program were required viewing, particularly growing up in North Carolina. As Brian tweeted, those of us living in the Raleigh area grew up with The Andy Griffith Show on WRAL at 5 PM every day.
Griffith was born in Mount Airy and graduated from UNC in 1949. He taught at my alma mater, Goldsboro High School, and portrayed Sir Walter Raleigh in the outdoor drama "The Lost Colony" for four seasons before finding fame in Hollywood.
In addition to graduating from UNC, Griffith had a significant connection to the University as one of his landmark comedy acts was called "What It Was, Was Football" and was based on his observations on college football in Kenan Stadium.
So, in memory of Andy, please enjoy "What It Was, Was Football":